My new ride

Ricci.Wright

I WISH!!  Yes, I know it's English and the lights will go out on the darkest night just as your are pushing her through a corner, and the gauges aren't accurate, and it will vibrate so badly that your butt will be asleep in fifty miles. But just look at her. If she was mine she would not sleep in a dark garage. She would be in my living room. Or maybe in my bedroom. I should like seeing her first thing in the morning.

4205raymond

Yep, she's a beauty. Brings back memories of the old days. The Brits sure knew how to make them purdy, BSA and Triump Tiger Cub. If I had that sexy thing she would sleep in my bedroom.------------------------Ray

varian

i have a triumph speedmaster parked in my barn for the last three years.  rode the dragon with her about 5 years ago, completely wore me out, what a ride.  i guess i need sell probably wont ride anymore.

buddyb

I think I remember Norton making a come back in the 70s.Have not seen one in years so I guess they are out of business(or made in China) 

mark christian

That Norton is magnificent, but please Ricci, no bakers dozen of other people's motorcycles. I can't endure something like that again. 

Warbirds

I feel like I have told this story before, but I will tell it again.

I inherited a job nobody else wanted, the propulsion IPT (integrated product team) lead for a technology that nobody really cared about, and even fewer people really new existed. It was our job to standardize once and for all the mainline propulsion system on a 2nd gen UAV. Historically the planes were all built around the cameras they carried and engines were an afterthought.

Long story short we wound up in Litchfield England and the Norton Rotary engine was reborn as UAV Engines Ltd. They had been used on targets, simulating airborne threats,- but never something like this.

All said and done the little Norton Rotary engine has secured its place in aviation history. Over 1,200,000 COMBAT flight hours- we even have a bird in the Smithsonian in Washington DC.

And as simple as it was - this little engine which we pushed so hard, has stood the watch and kept untold thousands of troops safe.

It was hard and it was an immense task- but damn I have pride in it. Yes. I am a fan of Norton.

https://airandspace.si.edu/multimedia-gallery/a20080399000-nasm2018-10346jpg

https://www.army-technology.com/projects/shadow-200-uav/

pulsarnc

I came into road riding in the late 60 thru the 90’s . Norton , Ducati . BSA and Triump. In the early 70’s I got the chance to play with a norton commando for a few days 😁Wish I could have bought it !

jimdeere

My dream. I’ve owned several Harley’s over the the years but I always wanted a Norton 750 Commando. They used to advertise them in Playboy back in the early ‘70’s. 

dunbarboyz

Thank you Ricci that brought a smile and a tear.

Toolman286

I was looking at the Nortons but ended up buying a '77 Guzzi. The 850T3 is siting down stairs.

Sam06

I had a 1971.  Great bike.

gjshaw

I had the 650 norton then I traded and got the 750 norton. I would start them up on the center stand and warm them up. They would walk around from all the vibration. First time I rode the 650 I was in my driveway and I let the clutch out and it put me in the ditch on the other side of the highway faster than anything. Those bikes were scary fast.

Nanuq907

I was part of the TT3 race team at the Isle of Man a couple years back, and the Norton team were right across the way in the paddocks.  This was the personal bike of one of their mechanics.  Good God Almighty you should have heard it go.  Look at those megaphones.  And this wasn't even their race bike!  They make a Thruxton now that I'd trade my left nut for.

dcon12

jimdeere said:

My dream. I’ve owned several Harley’s over the the years but I always wanted a Norton 750 Commando. They used to advertise them in Playboy back in the early ‘70’s. 

Playboy had advertising??? Who knew!!!! Don

Ricci.Wright

 Isle of Man WOW!! That is one hairy race that is. I had a buddy ( rode a 900 Duck)  whose sister lived on the island and he would go and stay there during the race.

Smitty500mag

Ricci.Wright said:

I WISH!!  Yes, I know it's English and the lights will go out on the darkest night just as your are pushing her through a corner, and the gauges aren't accurate, and it will vibrate so badly that your butt will be asleep in fifty miles. But just look at her. If she was mine she would not sleep in a dark garage. She would be in my living room. Or maybe in my bedroom. I should like seeing her first thing in the morning.

The Prince of Darkness. But they were/are beautiful. 

Smitty500mag

Here is one of my favorites. The '67 Triumph Bonneville. I never did get comfortable with the foot shift being on the right and the brakes on the left when riding those Limies'.

 

SCOUT5

Warbirds said:

I feel like I have told this story before, but I will tell it again.

I inherited a job nobody else wanted, the propulsion IPT (integrated product team) lead for a technology that nobody really cared about, and even fewer people really new existed. It was our job to standardize once and for all the mainline propulsion system on a 2nd gen UAV. Historically the planes were all built around the cameras they carried and engines were an afterthought.

Long story short we wound up in Litchfield England and the Norton Rotary engine was reborn as UAV Engines Ltd. They had been used on targets, simulating airborne threats,- but never something like this.

All said and done the little Norton Rotary engine has secured its place in aviation history. Over 1,200,000 COMBAT flight hours- we even have a bird in the Smithsonian in Washington DC.

And as simple as it was - this little engine which we pushed so hard, has stood the watch and kept untold thousands of troops safe.

It was hard and it was an immense task- but damn I have pride in it. Yes. I am a fan of Norton.

That sounds like interesting work.

Ricci.Wright

My Dad bought a new 1967 Bonnie when we lived in Bohemia, L.I. N.Y. I think that was the last Triumph he bought before he went to Harley Davidson bikes.  He accelerated in a Macy's parking lot and I slid right off the back. Landed on my feet so it was pretty cool to a 13 year old boy.

Ricci.Wright

Fat Boy!!  Nice.